New SPAR Store with Asian Grocery Opens on Liverpool’s London Road 2026

Key Points

• River Capital has provided a £250,000 loan to support the launch of a new SPAR franchise convenience store at Milliners Yard on London Road, Liverpool.
• The investment, delivered through the North West Business Growth Loan Fund, covered the development and fit-out of a 4,500 sq.ft retail unit.
• The store will trade as “SPAR & Cheeky Coffee Co”, combining convenience retail, café, hot food-to-go, Asian grocery, and essential services such as ATM, PayPoint, Lottery, and parcel solutions.
• Behind the venture is Xiuwen (Kent) Gu, director with more than 13 years of experience building Ejoy Asian Foods across two Liverpool sites.
• SPAR franchise partner James Hall identified the London Road site as high-potential, supported by a 14-page Assessment and Strategic Planning Report describing the street as Liverpool’s de facto second Chinatown and pan‑Asian food hub.
• The catchment includes 258 apartments directly above the unit, the University of Liverpool’s north campus, eight student accommodation blocks, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, and a large commuter population linked to Lime Street station.
• The store opened in spring 2026 with nine staff, expected to grow to 13 jobs during the loan term.
• Jim Moore, Investment Manager at River Capital, highlighted Kent Gu’s track record and the differentiated concept as key reasons for backing the project.
• Kent Gu said the store is designed to support ongoing change on London Road and serve residents, students, hospital staff, and the wider community.

Liverpool (Liverpool standard) July 07, 2026 – River Capital has approved a £250,000 loan to support the launch of a new SPAR franchise convenience store at Milliners Yard on London Road, Liverpool. The funding, delivered through the North West Business Growth Loan Fund, has underpinned the development and fit-out of a 4,500 sq.ft retail unit that will operate as SPAR & Cheeky Coffee Co, a modern lifestyle concept blending SPAR retail, a dedicated café area, hot food-to-go, Asian grocery, and essential services including an ATM, PayPoint, Lottery, and parcel solutions.

The financial backing reflects a strategic push to support diversified retail models in Liverpool’s evolving city‑centre fringe, with particular emphasis on culturally specific grocery and community-focused convenience offerings. The project is being led by Xiuwen (Kent) Gu, who has spent more than 13 years building Ejoy Asian Foods into a Liverpool retail institution, operating a Chinese supermarket and commercial kitchen hub across two city sites.

How Does the SPAR & Cheeky Coffee Co Concept Differ From a Standard Convenience Store?

As reported by the journalist covering the River Capital announcement for the Liverpool Standard, the new store is not intended to function as a typical convenience outlet. Instead, it is positioned as a “genuinely differentiated concept designed around a well‑evidenced catchment”.

Behind the store is Xiuwen (Kent) Gu, who brings operational experience and an established Asian grocery supply chain that will power one of the store’s most distinctive offerings. According to the Liverpool Standard, Kent’s background includes running Ejoy Asian Foods across two Liverpool locations, giving him direct knowledge of local demand for Asian groceries and ready‑to‑eat food.

The London Road site was identified by SPAR franchise partner James Hall as a high‑potential location. A 14‑page Assessment and Strategic Planning Report noted that the street has evolved into Liverpool’s de facto second Chinatown and pan‑Asian food hub, supporting the decision to integrate Asian grocery as a core component of the store’s mix.

Why Was London Road Selected as the Location for This New SPAR Franchise?

The selection of London Road is grounded in both demographic and strategic analysis. The store’s catchment draws on 258 apartments directly above the unit, the University of Liverpool’s north campus, eight student accommodation blocks within walking distance, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, and a large commuter population served by Lime Street station nearby.

According to the strategic planning report referenced in the Liverpool Standard coverage, London Road has increasingly functioned as a pan‑Asian commercial corridor, with a mix of residential growth, hospitality, and food retail. This has made the street a natural fit for a hybrid model combining SPAR convenience retail with a dedicated Asian grocery and café offering.

Jim Moore, Investment Manager at River Capital, commented on the location choice:

“Kent is an impressive operator with a genuine track record in Liverpool’s retail sector. What struck us was not just his experience, but the quality of the proposition — this isn’t a standard convenience store, it’s a genuinely differentiated concept designed around a well‑evidenced catchment. With the backing of the SPAR franchise and the site’s long‑term potential as the surrounding area continues to develop, we’re confident this is a strong investment.”

What Are the Employment and Community Implications of the New Store?

The store opened in spring 2026 with an initial team of nine staff, with plans to grow to 13 jobs during the loan term. This expansion aligns with River Capital’s objective to support local employment through business growth loans tied to job creation.

Kent Gu, Director of Spar London Rd Ltd, explained the community focus:

“River Capital understood the vision from the outset. London Road is changing, and this store is designed to be part of that change — offering something genuinely different for residents, students, hospital staff, and the wider community.”

The combination of convenience retail, café, hot food-to-go, and essential services such as ATM, PayPoint, Lottery, and parcel solutions is intended to meet everyday needs for a diverse population, including students, hospital workers, and local residents.

Through Which Funding Mechanism Was the Investment Delivered?

The £250,000 loan was delivered through the North West Business Growth Loan Fund, a regional finance vehicle designed to support small and medium enterprises in high‑potential sectors. The fund focuses on projects that demonstrate clear economic benefits, including job creation, local supply chain development, and innovation in retail models.

River Capital, as the investment manager, assessed the proposition on the strength of Kent Gu’s operational track record, the differentiation of the concept, and the long‑term growth potential of the London Road site. The investment is structured to align with the loan term, with job expansion and store performance contributing to the overall return profile.

Who Benefits From River Capital’s Support of the SPAR Franchise Development?

The immediate beneficiaries include:

• Local residents in the 258 apartments above the unit, who gain access to a nearby convenience store with Asian grocery and essential services.
• Students from the University of Liverpool’s north campus and nearby accommodation blocks, who benefit from a hybrid retail and café offering suited to study and social needs.
• Staff and visitors at Royal Liverpool University Hospital, who can access hot food-to-go, convenience items, and essential services without leaving the immediate area.
• Commuters linked to Lime Street station, who may use the store for quick purchases, parcel services, and travel-related essentials.
• Local suppliers and the broader pan‑Asian food ecosystem on London Road, as the store’s Asian grocery component is backed by an established supply chain from Ejoy Asian Foods.

River Capital’s involvement also benefits the regional economy by demonstrating how targeted loan funding can support innovative retail concepts that align with changing neighbourhood demographics.

Background to the River Capital–SPAR London Road Development

This development stems from a combination of private retail expertise and regional growth finance. Xiuwen (Kent) Gu has operated Ejoy Asian Foods across two Liverpool sites for more than 13 years, establishing a reputation as a key player in the city’s Asian grocery and commercial kitchen sector. The new SPAR & Cheeky Coffee Co store leverages that experience and supply chain to create a hybrid model that goes beyond standard convenience retail.

The project was supported by SPAR franchise partner James Hall, who identified London Road as a high‑potential location based on a 14‑page Assessment and Strategic Planning Report. That report described the street as Liverpool’s de facto second Chinatown and pan‑Asian food hub, justifying the integration of Asian grocery as a core component. The North West Business Growth Loan Fund, managed by River Capital, provided the £250,000 loan to enable development and fit-out of the 4,500 sq.ft unit.

The store’s opening in spring 2026 reflects a broader trend of diversified, community-focused retail models in Liverpool’s city‑centre fringe, where residential growth, student populations, and hospital activity create strong demand for integrated convenience and lifestyle services.

Prediction: How This Development Could Affect Liverpool Residents, Students, and Local Retail

The SPAR & Cheeky Coffee Co store is likely to have several medium‑term effects on the London Road area and its users:

• For residents, the store will provide a more convenient, culturally relevant shopping option, reducing the need to travel further for Asian groceries and everyday essentials. This could strengthen local footfall and support nearby businesses that benefit from increased pedestrian activity.
• For students and hospital staff, the combination of convenience retail, café, and hot food-to-go offers a time‑efficient solution for meals and daily needs, potentially altering spending patterns and reducing reliance on off‑area chains.
• For local retail, the project may encourage other operators to consider hybrid models that blend mainstream and culturally specific offerings, particularly in areas with strong demographic shifts. However, it also introduces competitive pressure for existing convenience stores and small grocery outlets on or near London Road.
• For the wider London Road corridor, the store’s success could reinforce the area’s identity as a pan‑Asian food hub, supporting further investment in hospitality, retail, and residential development. Conversely, if the model struggles, it could signal limits to the viability of hybrid concepts in certain city‑centre fringe locations.

Overall, the River Capital-backed SPAR franchise represents a targeted intervention designed to align retail innovation with local demographic realities. If the store meets its employment and performance targets, it could set a precedent for similar investments across Liverpool and other North West cities.